Chances are, someone you know will develop colon cancer in your lifetime. The risk of developing it is about 1 in 25 for women and 1 in 23 for men. While overall rates are dropping, it’s still a leading cause of cancer deaths in America. But it doesn’t have to be.
In the past 20 years, public awareness campaigns have encouraged people over age 50 to have regular screening for colon cancer. The result has been a steady decline in the rates of colon cancer in the over-50 population. At the same time, colon cancer rates in younger adults have been increasing.
As a result, the recommended screening age has been lowered to 45. Screening saves lives. By some accounts, screening could prevent as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths.
Scientists have also discovered links between certain lifestyle factors and cancer. Together, regular screening and healthy lifestyle choices greatly reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.
Some lifestyle choices can increase the risk of developing cancer. The American Cancer Society says that excess weight, poor nutrition, inactivity, and too much alcohol contribute to about 1 out of every 5 cancer diagnoses. Those factors, along with smoking, also contribute to many other diseases, like diabetes and heart disease.
Making healthy choices can significantly affect your health, reducing your risk of chronic disease and cancer.
If you’re already making healthy lifestyle choices, good work! If not, it’s never too late to start.
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces your risk of developing several types of cancer, including colon cancer. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help you maintain a healthy weight for life.
Getting regular exercise may reduce your risk of colon cancer. Sitting less and moving more is key. Adults should get between 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity movement per week. That could be 30 minutes or more a day, five days a week, or on whatever activity and schedule works best for you.
Everything that goes into your body affects it – eating a healthy diet benefits you in many ways. Reducing your risk of developing colon cancer is one of them. A healthy diet includes whole grains, whole fruits and vegetables in every color, and higher fiber foods like beans. It also includes plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. A healthy diet limits processed and red meat, added sugar, and highly processed foods.
Too much alcohol is bad for your health and increases your cancer risk. To minimize the risks, men should limit themselves to two drinks per day, and women should limit themselves to one per day.
There is no healthy level of tobacco intake. Smoking is harmful to nearly every organ system in your body, contributing to a number of chronic diseases and cancers. It’s also the number one cause of deaths that could have been prevented. It’s not easy to quit smoking but quitting saves lives.
If you struggle to quit smoking, there are resources to help.
The best way to prevent colon cancer is to catch it before it starts with a screening colonoscopy. Colon cancer begins in the lining of the intestine wall as a small growth called a polyp. A polyp doesn’t automatically mean you have cancer, but it can become cancerous over time. During a colonoscopy, your doctor can find and remove polyps before they can turn cancerous.
The American Cancer Society and the CDC recommend that adults begin regular screening by age 45 – earlier with certain risk factors. Routine screening is the most effective way to prevent colon cancer.
A healthy lifestyle and regular colon cancer screening can help prevent you from becoming a statistic.
If you’re concerned about your risk, or you’re 45 or older and haven’t begun screening, – don’t wait. Schedule an appointment today!
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